Out-Law News 2 min. read

China establishes online content regulator


China has established a mechanism for regulating internet content in a move that its Government says will improve the internet's development but critics say is a stepping up of censorship.

On Wednesday China's State Council announced that it had set up the State Internet Information Office to manage internet information.

The new body will work under the authority of the State Council Information Office to ensure that internet usage adheres to Chinese law, a statement from the State Council said. Staff will work for both Government departments, the statement said.

"It is assigned the duties to investigate and punish websites violating laws and regulations," the Chinese State Council statement said.

"The office will work to implement the policies of internet communication and promote legal system construction in this field," it said.

"Although China's internet sector has witnessed rapid growth since the mid-1990s, some problems, such as online porn and vulgar content, online gambling and fraud as well as illegal online marketing tricks, have been hampering its sound development. Improved regulation measures are needed to deal with these problems, and the setting up of the new office is part of the country's efforts to promote the healthy development of the Internet," the statement said.

China's State Council is the equivalent of the UK cabinet and "is the highest executive organ of State power, as well as the highest organ of State administration," according to the Chinese Government website.

The State Council Internet Information Office will supervise the telecom industry that provides access to the internet for users and online businesses, the statement said.

Local internet information offices will take guidance from the new State body, it said.

The Chinese State Internet Information Office will control Government propaganda online and direct developments in the media, the statement said.

"The department ... will direct, coordinate and supervise online content management and handle administrative approval of businesses related to online news reporting," the statement said.

"The office will be engaged in promoting construction of major news websites and managing Government online publicity work. It will direct the development of online gaming, online video and audio businesses and online publication industries," it said.

Four senior Government officials have been appointed to run the new office, including the Director of the State Council Information Office, Wang Chen, who will also head up the new body.

The Chinese Government statements do not make clear whether the new State Council Internet Information Office's has absolute power to regulate on issues on the internet in China. A number of Chinese ministries have had responsibility for internet censorship, which often resulted in in-fighting between departments, the BBC reported.

The Chinese Government has strict rules governing websites and often censors content on sites. Google has previously complained about having to filter search results, such as 'Free Tibet', on its Chinese domain. Facebook is banned in the country.

Western Governments have regularly criticised the Chinese approach to website control. Last year US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that censorship "should not be in any way accepted by any company anywhere."

Earlier this year an anonymous online post called for the Chinese public to protest in a 'Jasmine Revolution' against the Chinese Government's censorship on the internet.

The Chinese Government has spoken out against foreign criticism of the country's internet laws.

The unnamed official said that criticism of China's internet regulations was a "groundless smear" against the country, a statement on the Chinese Government website said.

China's internet sector was fast developing in "an open, lawful and cooperative manner", the statement said just a day after the country launched the State Internet Information Office to manage internet information.

"The Internet has become an important part of the Chinese economy and society... it has great influence and promotes social development as well as the citizens' right to know, to participate, to express and to supervise," the official said.

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